Tea bag (sexual act)

To tea bag is a slang term for the sexual act of a man placing his scrotum in the mouth of a willing sexual partner for pleasure or onto the face or head of another person. The name of the practice, when it is done in a repeated in-and-out motion, is derived from its passing resemblance to the dipping of a tea bag into a cup of hot water as a method of brewingtea. As a form of non-penetrative sex, it can be done for its own enjoyment or as foreplay.

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Along with the penis, the scrotum is sensitive and considered to be an erogenous zone. This makes varying degrees of stimulation an integral part of oral sex for many men.[1][2] And while some men may enjoy the stimulation, not every man responds to it, so it is important to discuss with your partner whether or not they want to do it.[3] Sex experts have praised various techniques that the performer can use during fellatio to increase their partner's pleasure. These include gently sucking and tugging on the scrotum and use of lips to ensure minimal contact with their teeth.[4][5] It has also been recommended as a form of foreplay or safer sex.[6][7] It presents a low risk of transmission for many diseases, including HIV.[8]

Its gain in prominence has been attributed to its depiction in the film Pecker, which was released in 1998.[9] It has since become popular enough with couples to be discussed during an episode of Sex and the City.[10]

Sex and relationship experts have varying definitions on how the act is performed. According to columnist Dan Savage, the person whose scrotum is being stimulated is known as "the teabagger" and "the teabaggee" is the one giving the stimulation: "A teabagger dips sack; a teabaggee receives dipped sack."[11] Some consider the act to be as simple as fellatio involving the scrotum.[5] Others consider the position to involve the man squatting over his reclined partner while the testicles are repeatedly raised and lowered into the mouth. Whether or not licking and fondling is considered tea bagging was once debated on the Howard Stern Show.[12]

Mimicking the act, by repeatedly crouching over a fallen enemy, has become a popular taunt in multiplayer first person shooter video games and platform games, to imply domination, humiliation, or as a teasing joke.[15] Although considered to be bad sportsmanship, its use has become widespread in gaming.[17]